MONTREAL - A decision on whether to grant bail to a Montreal blogger alleged to have glorified the gunman behind Montreal's 1989 Ecole polytechnique killings is expected Monday.
Jean-Claude Rochefort made several rambling comments about being a political prisoner during a hearing today at the Montreal courthouse where he confirmed writing the posts in question.
Rochefort had been detained since Dec. 5 — the eve of the 30th anniversary of the anti-feminist attack in which 14 women were killed.
The 70-year-old faces charges of inciting hatred towards women after investigators found what was described as "disturbing" writing published under the pseudonym Rick Flashman on a "hateful, anti-feminist blog."
Defence lawyer Marc-Olivier Carrier argued that Rochefort's previous brushes with the law didn't involve violence, and while his writings may be described as shocking, he doesn't pose a threat.
The Crown opposed bail for Rochefort, citing a risk of recidivism given Rochefort's arrest on similar charges a decade ago and the need to maintain the public's confidence in the justice system.
Quebec Court Judge Serge Delisle will rule on the matter Monday afternoon.
